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TECIMCAL^SUPPIY DEPARTMENT
William BreddWhiteXecAmcal Editor
can come to the receiving end of the recorder.
Then, if the two sets of records be placed on
the harmonic analyzer and split vip into their
components,.the elements common to'each can
be canceled out. Any remaining components
The Possibilities Which Lie in Research Work Along These Directions for the De- will then represent the work of the sound-
board alone, that is to say its modifications of
velopment of Better Tone Quality in Making the Piano
the original vibrations of the strings. If, on
HAT the fashion of looking at matters of minished by about three-fourths of its width the other hand, the two sets of records when
piano design and construction from an within about .03 second after evocation, it is superimposed one on the other, each to each,
engineering, quasi-scientific standpoint evident that the photographic method is the turn out to be identical, or virtually so, save
only that one shows greater amplitude, then
is growing, no one acquainted with the facts most permanently valuable.
we may say that the work of the soundboard is
of the trade will be inclined to deny. It is, of
What then should be the procedure in ex-
course, easy to see that the tendency is natural amining the sounds of the pianoforte and re- amplificatory only.
Personally I am convinced that the sound-
enough. A disposition to turn towards scien- cording the equivalent curves produced by
board
modifies as well as amplifies, but it is
tific method in industry is usually the product some vibrator capable of being set into cor-
evident that the method proposed here would
of some turn of commercial events which had responding vibration by the sounds?
enable us to settle the question once for all.
not been fully discounted. So long as an in-
Three Directions
If and when it has been settled, we shall be
dustry is being lulled to slumber by a steady
It is evident that three distinct lines of
able
to talk intelligently about soundboard de-
and apparently eternal demand, it is not likely analysis are required. In the first place the
sign
and
construction. That in general we are
to want to change its ways. And if it is an old sounds should be examined and recorded as
not
now
talking intelligently on the subject
industry, with a heritage of rich tradition, produced by the strings alone without the in-
is
evidenced
by the story I told here the other
scientific inquiries with their uncomfortable terposition of the soundboard. In the second
day
of
the
man
who had the soundboard of his
scepticisms are likely to be very much out of place the soundboard should be brought in and
piano
ruined
in
some flood or other accident,
place, and to find a scant welcome. Not until the sounds again examined. Thirdly, the
security has been disturbed by some unto- curves of the first series should be "sub- and who replaced it, being a cabinet maker,
ward series of events is this attitude likely to tracted" from those of the second series and with three-ply door-panel stock, finding the re-
sult tonally at least as good as it was before!
be reversed.
the result laid out. This would give the re-
In our industry it has been reversed, and the quired data for the work of the soundboard In other words, we are so little certain of our
causes are to be found in facts which are alone and help to determine exactly, for the principles that we find apparently absurd viola-
patent to all who read this page. Let us, as first time, the nature of the motions which the tions of them to work quite well and to con-
found our sacred traditions after a fashion
technical men, while deploring what is to be soundboard actually performs.
equally
imperturbable and irritating. I do not
deplored, be thankful that there is a definite
Soundboard Questions
think there can be the least doubt that a capital
turn in the direction of respect for the possi-
What is the object of such procedure? In
bilities of scientific research in building up the answering this let me consider first the ques- need of the moment is a thorough investigation
pianoforte into greater musical and mechanical tion of analyzing the soundboard. It is well of the whole question of amplification, and so
far I am convinced that the only practical di-
efficiency.
known that piano makers have for years been
That such increase in efficiency is badly quarreling among themselves about the details rection along which we may proceed is to be
found in such a method as I have roughly out-
needed no technical man will deny.
of soundboard design and construction.
lined.
Lines of Procedure
Brought down to scientific fact, the contro-
At any rate, it is at least certain that the ear
Among the possibilities of the new direction versy may be explained by saying that it turns
may
no longer be depended on as the sole
of affairs is that of applying to the tone pro- upon the question whether the board ampli-
guide
to investigation of these matters. Appa-
duction of the pianoforte something approach- fies only, or both amplifies and modifies. If
ratus
for recording the effects of sonorous
ing standards of efficiency. By this I mean this point were settled for good, then we could
vibrations
upon delicate vibratory material
that the way is gradually being opened up for re-think the question of soundboard design and
must
always,
of course, render evidence of
the achievement of actual records of actual construction to some effect. As things are, we
which
the
validity
depends upon the delicacy
tone production, which can be utilized for the might go on forever arguing on each side of
and
the
responsiveness
of the vibrator and so
purpose of teaching us more about the exact the road, without 'bringing ourselves a foot
requires
to
be
checked
by some ascertained
composition of pianoforte sounds. When a nearer to any desired goal.
disturbance
factor.
When,
however, this fac-
sufficient number of such records shall have
How can we obtain the required knowledge
been made, it will be possible to use them for by the recording methods outlined above? The tor, corresponding to the inertia of the vibra-
(Continued on page 26)
the purpose of finding constant elements from answer is simple. Suppose that two sets of
which in turn we may be guided in the attempt records obtained, covering the whole scale of
to obtain still better tone. In other words, if the pianoforte, using some standard instrument.
we obtain visual or photographic records of a Suppose that with one set records are taken
large number of sounds from pianos under con- with the soundboard acting in the usual way,
Associate, American Society of Mechanical
ditions of all kinds, and from examination of and the other with the soundboard damped so
Engineers; Chairman, Wood Industries
these discover that certain elements are com- effectively that no vibratory motion of its own
Division, A. S. M. E.; Member, American
mon to all: then we have discovered an in-
Physical Society; Member, National Piano
dependent fact, whereby we can proceed to Easy to Repair DAMAGED FINISHES
Technicians' Association.
check up on the admittedly imperfect impres-
sions derived from the ear alone. Then, by
CAMPBELL'S Stick Shellac
Consulting Engineer to
Pormanent repairs are easily and
using the visual record to check up on the
quickly made. No us"
to cut prices
the Piano Industry
aural impressions, we may guide our work of
o" ii^ii" " " ^ r " of -° fl -ii!=hing:.
Campbell's
stick
Shellac
easily
re-
investigation much more efficiently.
Tonally and Mechanically Correct Scales
sto"es pcarrert and scratched finishes
Tonal and Technical Surveys of Product
to perfect condition. Melted into
Instruments which have been developed dur-
hole,
dent,
scratch,
then
rubbed
down
Tonal Betterment Work In Factories
ing the last few years are now available for
and polished. An ideal way to eco-
nomically repair finishes.
thus recording the sounds of any musical in-
A color card of Campbell's Stick Shellac will
References to manufacturers of unquestioned
W sent free to anyone upon request. Shows
strument. The records may be considered both
position in industry
actual samples and the ranpi? of 54 colors.
visually and photographically, and when photo-
Write for one today.
graphed may be taken to represent permanent
For particulars, address
THE M. L. CAMPBELL COMPANY
facts. Considering that the maximum ampli-
209
South
State Street, CHICAGO
Kansas City, Mo.
tude of a pianoforte string in vibration is di- 1008 West Eighth Street
Visual and Photographic Investigation
of Tonal Qualities of the Pianoforte
T
William Braid White
Punchings
Washers
Bridle Straps
5814.37th Ave.
George W. Braunsdor£, Inc.
Dir*>rt Wnnnfnrtiirer*
n{
Piano Tuners
Also—Felts and
Cloths, Kurninhe
In Any Quantity
P»T|Htli
TUNERS' TRADE SOLICITED
Wood.ide, L. I., N. Y.
25
and Technicians
are in demand. The trade needs tuners, regu-
lators and repairmen. Practical Shop School.
Send for Catalog M
Y. M. C. A. Piano Technicians School
1421 Arch St.
Philadelphia, Pa.